Disney Resort Hotels to Implement New Credit Card Policy

Walt Disney World Resort hotels will implement a new payment card policy for guests who wish to put a payment card on file at check-in.

Beginning on Feb. 27, 2019, Disney Resort hotels will place incremental authorization holds on the payment card for estimated incidental expenses, in addition to any balance due on the reservation.

The new policy, which “better aligns with hotel industry practices,” will place a $100 incidental charge upon arrival to cover estimated incidental expenses. For guests who spend more than the original $100 hold, additional incremental holds will be obtained automatically. The authorization holds on the card will not exceed the current balance due plus $100.

Guests will be charged only for what they actually spent and any authorization holds in excess of the balance due will be released, generally, within one to two days after check-out.

Disney Resort hotels previously only obtained signatures from guests at check-in and did not actually charge the card until checkout. The new policy is likely aimed at deterring charges at check-out from being rejected by the card issuer as a potential fraudulent charge or for being over the cardholder’s credit limit.

If guests cannot put a credit card on file, they will not be able to use their MagicBand for purchases.

Guests will be advised of the payment card policy during online check-in through their My Disney Experience account or at the front desk. Those who have already completed online check-in for stays beginning Feb. 27 or later will be notified later this month about the new policy.